One day after the Writers Guild of America ratified its 2023 strike-ending contract, Lowell Peterson has announced that he is stepping down from the post of WGA East executive director.
“I am proud of my work to transform the Wgae into a more powerful force for writers,” Peterson said in a statement on Tuesday. “I am grateful to have had the opportunity to collaborate with such extraordinary leaders, members, and staff. Their activism, creativity, and diligence have been essential to our success.” Peterson will leave his post after his deal expires on Nov. 15, following 15 years of leadership at the union.
The guild’s director of contract enforcement and credits, Geoff Betts, will lead on an interim basis as the labor group searches for a new executive director. Variety was the first to report the news.
Starting in 2008, Peterson headed up the union at a time when it aggressively pursued organizing efforts in digital media,...
“I am proud of my work to transform the Wgae into a more powerful force for writers,” Peterson said in a statement on Tuesday. “I am grateful to have had the opportunity to collaborate with such extraordinary leaders, members, and staff. Their activism, creativity, and diligence have been essential to our success.” Peterson will leave his post after his deal expires on Nov. 15, following 15 years of leadership at the union.
The guild’s director of contract enforcement and credits, Geoff Betts, will lead on an interim basis as the labor group searches for a new executive director. Variety was the first to report the news.
Starting in 2008, Peterson headed up the union at a time when it aggressively pursued organizing efforts in digital media,...
- 10/10/2023
- by Katie Kilkenny
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Writers Guild of America East announced Thursday that Lisa Takeuchi Cullen has officially been elected as its new president after running unopposed to succeed outgoing president Michael Winship.
Takeuchi Cullen is now the third woman and the first person of color to be elected president of WGA East. Secretary-treasurer Christopher Kyle will continue in the same position after also running unopposed.
“I am honored to become the next president of the Writers Guild of America East. Even when we negotiate a fair deal with the Hollywood studios — and it is a when, not an if — I know the fight is not over,” Takeuchi Cullen said in a statement. “The fight continues for all of our members, TV and screenwriters as well as journalists and podcasters, to achieve compensation commensurate to the value of our important work. The fight continues for all workers to earn a life of dignity. The fight...
Takeuchi Cullen is now the third woman and the first person of color to be elected president of WGA East. Secretary-treasurer Christopher Kyle will continue in the same position after also running unopposed.
“I am honored to become the next president of the Writers Guild of America East. Even when we negotiate a fair deal with the Hollywood studios — and it is a when, not an if — I know the fight is not over,” Takeuchi Cullen said in a statement. “The fight continues for all of our members, TV and screenwriters as well as journalists and podcasters, to achieve compensation commensurate to the value of our important work. The fight continues for all workers to earn a life of dignity. The fight...
- 9/21/2023
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
Lisa Takeuchi Cullen, running unopposed, has been elected president of the WGA East. Cullen, who until now had been VP of the guild’s Film/TV/Streaming sector, succeeds Michael Winship, who chose not to seek re-election.
In the WGA East’s other officer elections, two other candidates also ran unopposed. Chris Kyle was re-elected secretary-treasurer, and Erica Saleh, a member of the guild’s Council, will be the next VP of Film/TV/Streaming – the post previously held by Cullen.
Votes were cast by 13.3% of total eligible voters for president and secretary-treasurer.
In the guild’s other races, six Council members representing the Film/TV/Streaming sector also elected: Sofia Alvarez, incumbent Josh Gondelman, incumbent Liz Hynes, incumbent Greg Iwinski, Sarah Montana, and incumbent Sasha Stewart.
Three candidates were also elected to the Council representing the Online Media sector: incumbent Caitlin Cruz, Sie Morley, and Samantha Smylie.
In Film/TV/Streaming,...
In the WGA East’s other officer elections, two other candidates also ran unopposed. Chris Kyle was re-elected secretary-treasurer, and Erica Saleh, a member of the guild’s Council, will be the next VP of Film/TV/Streaming – the post previously held by Cullen.
Votes were cast by 13.3% of total eligible voters for president and secretary-treasurer.
In the guild’s other races, six Council members representing the Film/TV/Streaming sector also elected: Sofia Alvarez, incumbent Josh Gondelman, incumbent Liz Hynes, incumbent Greg Iwinski, Sarah Montana, and incumbent Sasha Stewart.
Three candidates were also elected to the Council representing the Online Media sector: incumbent Caitlin Cruz, Sie Morley, and Samantha Smylie.
In Film/TV/Streaming,...
- 9/21/2023
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
The Writers Guild of America East (Wgae) members have elected Lisa Takeuchi Cullen as its new president. Cullen, who was an unopposed candidate for the posititon, takes over for outgoing president Michael Winship, who announced his decision to not seek reelection of his longtime post over the summer.
“I am honored to become the next President of the Writers Guild of America East,” Takeuchi Cullen said in a statement. “Even when we negotiate a fair deal with the Hollywood studios — and it is a when, not an if — I know the fight is not over. The fight continues for all of our members, TV and screenwriters as well as journalists and podcasters, to achieve compensation commensurate to the value of our important work. The fight continues for all workers to earn a life of dignity. The fight continues for all labor to put human rights over corporate profits. As the...
“I am honored to become the next President of the Writers Guild of America East,” Takeuchi Cullen said in a statement. “Even when we negotiate a fair deal with the Hollywood studios — and it is a when, not an if — I know the fight is not over. The fight continues for all of our members, TV and screenwriters as well as journalists and podcasters, to achieve compensation commensurate to the value of our important work. The fight continues for all workers to earn a life of dignity. The fight continues for all labor to put human rights over corporate profits. As the...
- 9/21/2023
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety Film + TV
The Writers Guild of America East has re-elected a host of incumbents and two new leaders in film, television and streaming in its latest council election.
After running unopposed, current vp for film/TV/streaming Lisa Takeuchi Cullen is ascending into the president’s seat after current president Michael Winship decided not to run for re-election. She will be joined by incumbent secretary-treasurer Christopher Kyle, who is retaining the role, and Erica Saleh, a sitting council member who has been elected to the role of vp for film/TV/streaming; both ran unopposed.
Out of the 12 candidates who ran for council seats in the film/TV/streaming sector, six were elected, including incumbents Josh Gondelman, Liz Hynes, Greg Iwinski and Sasha Stewart and new candidates Sofia Alvarez and Sarah Montana. The new leaders’ terms begin Friday.
Takeuchi Cullen noted in a statement Thursday that she is the first woman of...
After running unopposed, current vp for film/TV/streaming Lisa Takeuchi Cullen is ascending into the president’s seat after current president Michael Winship decided not to run for re-election. She will be joined by incumbent secretary-treasurer Christopher Kyle, who is retaining the role, and Erica Saleh, a sitting council member who has been elected to the role of vp for film/TV/streaming; both ran unopposed.
Out of the 12 candidates who ran for council seats in the film/TV/streaming sector, six were elected, including incumbents Josh Gondelman, Liz Hynes, Greg Iwinski and Sasha Stewart and new candidates Sofia Alvarez and Sarah Montana. The new leaders’ terms begin Friday.
Takeuchi Cullen noted in a statement Thursday that she is the first woman of...
- 9/21/2023
- by Katie Kilkenny
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The ongoing writers strike is taking center stage in the WGA East’s officer and Council elections. In their official candidate statements, released today, they all pledged their support for the strike, vowing to remain on the picket line until a fair contract is achieved. The strike, which began May 2 and is now in its 114th day.
Lisa Takeuchi Cullen, who is running unopposed to be the guild’s next president, said that she will lead the guild “over the finish line in our epic battle for fair pay,” and that “We will not give up. We will not give in.”
As the current vice president of the guild’s Film, Television and Streaming sector, Cullen wrote that “This strike has meant nonstop, round-the-clock talking with members, meeting with staff, leading committees and coordinating with sister Guilds, politicians and non-members. But I burst with pride at our heroic army of...
Lisa Takeuchi Cullen, who is running unopposed to be the guild’s next president, said that she will lead the guild “over the finish line in our epic battle for fair pay,” and that “We will not give up. We will not give in.”
As the current vice president of the guild’s Film, Television and Streaming sector, Cullen wrote that “This strike has meant nonstop, round-the-clock talking with members, meeting with staff, leading committees and coordinating with sister Guilds, politicians and non-members. But I burst with pride at our heroic army of...
- 8/23/2023
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Rachael Leigh Cook, star of ‘90s movies including She’s All That, has signed a wide-ranging deal with Fox’s Marvista Entertainment.
The pact will see Cook develop, produce and act in a number of projects including a holiday film and There She Goes (w/t), a feature loosely based on her real-life experiences.
It comes as Cook is starring in Netflix’s A Tourist’s Guide to Love, which launches this month.
The deal is one of the highest profile partnerships unveiled by Marvista Entertainment since it was acquired by Fox Entertainment in December 2021.
Leigh Cook will develop and produce several projects across genres over the next few years via her production company Ben’s Sister Productions. She will work in front of and behind the camera.
The deal was shepherded by Hannah Pillemer, EVP, Creative Affairs, MarVista Entertainment.
The first few projects revealed are There She Goes, which will star...
The pact will see Cook develop, produce and act in a number of projects including a holiday film and There She Goes (w/t), a feature loosely based on her real-life experiences.
It comes as Cook is starring in Netflix’s A Tourist’s Guide to Love, which launches this month.
The deal is one of the highest profile partnerships unveiled by Marvista Entertainment since it was acquired by Fox Entertainment in December 2021.
Leigh Cook will develop and produce several projects across genres over the next few years via her production company Ben’s Sister Productions. She will work in front of and behind the camera.
The deal was shepherded by Hannah Pillemer, EVP, Creative Affairs, MarVista Entertainment.
The first few projects revealed are There She Goes, which will star...
- 4/11/2023
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
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